The Name of the Wind

Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1

By: Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover #1 New York Times bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.

“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

“He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin)

“Rothfuss has real talent.” (Terry Brooks)

Over 1 Million Copies Sold!

Day One: The Name of the Wind

My name is Kvothe.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

Praise for The Kingkiller Chronicle:

“The best epic fantasy I read last year.... He’s bloody good, this Rothfuss guy.” (George R. R. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire)

“Rothfuss has real talent, and his tale of Kvothe is deep and intricate and wondrous.” (Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of Shannara)

"It is a rare and great pleasure to find a fantasist writing...with true music in the words." (Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of Earthsea)

"The characters are real and the magic is true.” (Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author of Assassin’s Apprentice)

"Masterful.... There is a beauty to Pat's writing that defies description." (Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of Mistborn)

©2007 by Patrick Rothfuss. (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The originality of Rothfuss's outstanding debut fantasy, the first of a trilogy, lies less in its unnamed imaginary world than in its precise execution…As absorbing on a second reading as it is on the first, this is the type of assured, rich first novel most writers can only dream of producing. The fantasy world has a new star.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Fantasy readers-a notoriously discerning group-tend to dole out praise judiciously, which makes the reception of The Name of the Wind, the first volume in Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle, that much more remarkable. Critics are already throwing around comparisons to some of the biggest names in fantasy, including George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, the recently deceased Robert Jordan, and even Tolkien. (Bookmarks Magazine)

“New fantasy authors are usually overhyped, and it's rare to find one who writes with such assurance and narrative skill right from the start. I was reminded of Ursula LeGuin, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien, but never felt that Rothfuss was imitating anyone. Like the writers he clearly admires, he's an old-fashioned storyteller working with traditional elements, but his voice is his own. I haven't been so gripped by a new fantasy series in years. It's certain to become a classic." (Lisa Tuttle, The Times)

True Storytelling

What made the experience of listening to The Name of the Wind the most enjoyable?

The writing was incredible. Rothfuss creates numerous timelines well and truly embues the story with his love of story telling. The levels of different stories can become complex, but are very well done and easily comprehended

Who was your favorite character and why?

Quothe, because he's a liar, a thief, a story teller, a magician, a warrior, a bartender, and a musician

What a great ride

Bright, inventive, and an incredibly paced novel. I enjoyed the ready, yet expressive style that Rothfuss uses. The performance was also incredible, however, at times, there were accents that were used that were incredibly hard to discern.

A fantastic tale, with an even better performance!

A wildly interesting read with rich characters, witty dialogue, and an incredibly vast world full of intriguing magics and creatures - all brought together by a truly brilliant performance! A must-read for anyone who considers themselves a fan of fantasy.

wasn't expecting to get so hooked!

my husband bought this and lost interest. I didn't want to waste an audiobook, so I started listening while I drove. I actually started looking for excuses to go on long trips just so I could listen!

Interesting Throughout

Very well written and a lot of depth/layers to this book. Wasn't exactly sure what the book was going to be about and took me a few chapters to really get sucked in. After that it kept me involved and waiting for the next one. it's got some violence and adult content but nothing inappropriate for high schooler and up I would say. Though some dark parts overall a lighter book with some humor mixed it.

Wonderful

Pulled me into the story wanting to know more. Mystery, humor, love, friendship, enemies, tragedy, suspense, it has it all.

Very good story with some flaws

If you could sum up The Name of the Wind in three words, what would they be?

I couldn't sum it up in three words, but maybe a sentence: Boy goes through tragedy and ends up at a magical university where he studies and learns and becomes unreasonably obsessed with a random girl for real reason.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Name of the Wind?

Kvothe calling the name of the wind on Ambrose.

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nick Podehl does accents very well. I really enjoyed his Cealdish characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is far too long for that. And throughout the book there were very natural breaking points.

Any additional comments?

I found Denna to be a really annoying character. The story obsesses over her far too much. By the time you've heard Kvothe mention, for the 83rd time or so, that he was searching Imre for Denna, it's obnoxious. It may be in character for Kvothe, but as a listener I found it really tedious. By the end, I found myself impatiently fast-forwarding over the interminably long and tedious sequences about Denna.

Best fantasy book I he be read!

I love this series. Rothfest describes things in such a unique and capturing way. He draws you into the story at the beginning and leaves you hooked at the end.

great listen

I was hesitant about this story at first, due to the slow start, but soon I was definitely drawn into the characters and the story. the performance was wonderful, and I'm definitely going to continue the story.

Even better the second time around!

I loved it the first time around. It was gripping, exciting, a downright amazing story that had me laughing and weeping within minutes of each other. I didn't think a second listen would be as good. It was better.